NSW Nationals leader took taxpayer-funded RFS plane to Hunter Valley

Nationals leader Dugald Saunders took a taxpayer-funded NSW Rural Fire Service plane to fly from his electorate in Dubbo to the Hunter Valley in order to attend a series of wineries for meetings.

Nationals leader Dugald Saunders took a taxpayer-funded NSW Rural Fire Service plane to fly from his electorate in Dubbo to the Hunter Valley to attend a series of wineries for meetings on grape botrytis and agricultural chemical use.

In August 2022, the then-Agriculture Minister under the former Coalition government took a 34-minute flight alone at the invitation of RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers, from Dubbo to RAAF Base Williamtown near Newcastle.

The RFS confirmed Mr Saunders had been invited to use the emergency vehicle because of a scheduling clash which would have prevented the then-minister from attending two RFS events in Dubbo, including the opening of a memorial garden for firefighters.

The plane was to be used to transport Mr Rogers to visit Broken Hill fire brigades after the Dubbo event concluded. The RFS confirmed that due to strong winds in the far west, the offer was made to drop Mr Saunders at the Newcastle base before the plane returned to Dubbo to pick up the RFS Commissioner and take him to Broken Hill.

An RFS spokesperson said the initial plan was for the Commissioner and Mr Saunders to travel together “with the local member being dropped off before continuing the journey”.

NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders took a taxpayer-funded RFS plane from Dubbo to the Hunter Valley. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

“However, due to concerns expressed by the pilot regarding strong winds and the need to refuel for the western trip, a decision was made for the local member to be dropped at Williamtown, then have the aircraft return and refuel before continuing the trip with the Commissioner,” the spokesperson said.

“The use of RFS aircraft for scanning or lead plane operations always takes priority; however, there were no operational tasking requirements for those aircraft at that time.”

NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Over two days, Mr Saunders visited multiple wineries, including Agnew Wines, De Iuliis Wines and Tyrell’s Winery, which he disclosed in his ministerial diaries.

A spokesperson for Mr Saunders said he also met with the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association “who shared major concerns around flooding and its impacts on the Hunter Region as well as production and workforce issues”.

Mr Saunders said issues discussed included “botrytis and the need to work with the federal government around APVMA approvals for certain chemical use, workforce shortages and weather-related issues that placed the entire year’s production at risk”.

“On one occasion I was offered a seat on an already scheduled flight by the then-RFS Commissioner, so I was able to do my job as a local member and attend two RFS events in Dubbo, before a holding series of food, wine and agriculture roundtables in the Hunter in my capacity as minister for agriculture the same day,” he said.

After Mr Saunders visited the De Iuliis winery in Pokolbin on August 6, the winery posted on social media that “Minister Saunders and his lovely wife Karen joined us for a winery tour and tasting of our wines”.

Mr Saunder’s wife was not on the aircraft.

Mr Saunders later disclosed on his ministerial gift register gifts of wine with an estimated value of less than $500 from De Iuliis and Tyrrells.

Mr Saunders said he had never “requested the use of, or booked, RFS planes or helicopters”. He also denied ever receiving a warning about his use of RFS planes or helicopters.

The revelations come after former transport minister Jo Haylen was forced to resign over her use of a taxpayer funded ministerial driver to take her for a Hunter Valley lunch at a winery on the Australia Day weekend.

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